From 2013 to 2020, the International Guitar Magic Competition was one of the largest classical guitar events in Russia. Over the seven years of its existence, it has become a center of attraction for professional performers, teachers and students of music universities, as well as everyone who lives by guitar and music.
The competition was held in St. Petersburg and quickly gained a reputation as a prestigious music forum with a high level of performance and a substantial prize pool. Participation in the "Magic of the Guitar" was an honorable and responsible step for mature musicians who master the instrument at a professional level.
From the first years of its existence, the competition has become an international platform bringing together performers from Russia, the CIS countries and Europe. "Guitar Magic" developed as not just a competition, but an art festival where participants could perform, exchange experiences, attend master classes and concerts by outstanding musicians and be inspired by the atmosphere of creativity.
Over the years, outstanding guitarists and world-class teachers have been on the jury and among the invited masters.:
Kazuhito Yamashita, Marcin Dilla, Antigoni Goni, Andras Chaki, Aniello Desiderio, Aynur Begutov, Irina Kulikova, Vladimir Gapontsev, David Pavlovich, Lorenzo Micheli, Zoran Dukic, Gabriel Bianco, Vladimir Gorbach, Adriano Del Salle, Johan Fostier, Jeremy Jouve, Dmitry Illarionov, Judicael Perrois, Ekaterina and Alexey Khorev, Asya Selyutina, Anatoly Izotov.
The names speak for themselves: these musicians are the stars of the world's stages and teachers of leading music academies. Their participation ensured the highest level of professional assessment and inspired the participants to creative growth.
These names are well known in the professional community today: many laureates have become teachers, concert musicians and representatives of the new generation of the Russian guitar school.
Guitar Magic is not just a competition, but a lively musical community where respect, inspiration and sincere love for classical guitar reigned supreme. Concerts, workshops and the warm atmosphere of St. Petersburg made each festival special and unforgettable.
The competition has been on hiatus since 2020. We, the organizers and friends of the festival, carefully preserve its traditions and believe that the "Magic of the guitar" will definitely return. Someday the first notes will sound again, and the guitar will unite us in a single musical inspiration.
